"Free in DC" Free and low-cost things to do in DC!

Free in DC is an arts, culture, and consciousness resource dedicated to all the cool, free, low-cost things to do in Washington, DC… proving you don't need to spend a lot to live a rich life in this town! See DC through the eyes of a local who lives in the city and is plugged into the scene. All events are free, donation-based, or $10 or less and accessible by Metro or bus in VA, MD or DC.

If you aren't able to attend the first session in the 4-Week series on March 4 you are welcome to join in the second session on March 11, they just ask that you RSVP by phone or email, to let them know to expect you.

"Jyoti meditation provides the experience of inner light, the joy of self discovery, and the lasting value of spirituality as a complement to physical, intellectual, and cultural attainments." Introductory classes will run in four-week cycles which repeat. For those who wish to go on after the intro sessions, there will be intermediate and advanced classes continuing throughout the year.

SOS DC also offers free meditation workshops at area libraries. You can learn more about SOS DC and Jyoti Meditation on their website and feel free to connect with the Mid-Atlantic region on facebook and with Science of Spirituality on twitter at @SOSMeditate.

Science of Spirituality - DC Center
2950 Arizona Ave NW
at the intersection of Cathedral and Arizona Ave.
Metro: Not that close to a metro but accessible by bus. See metro trip-planner for best bus access. It looks like the M4 and D6 buses get you pretty close. For those with cars, street parking is available. You may want to consider taking uber, uber-pool or lyft or lyft-line there from wherever you are coming from or from the Tenleytown Metro.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

For more events please check out @FreeinDCBlog on twitter and the Free in DC page on facebook, search for "Free in DC" or click here! Much of the event content I cover comes from facebook and I don't always have time to craft individual posts on this site for every event I come across and I often post links to events on @FreeinDCBlog on twittter and/or FreeinDC on facebook that aren't on the main site.

I tweet most every day, focusing on events happening that day, and some other events coming soon or ones that you might not find on the main site or on facebook. Also, if you aren't a twitter user you can just look at the page without needing to sign up for an account!

No matter how many Hamlet s you've seen, you have never seen it like this: two women, armed with nothing but a fake skull, a real shovel, and a lot of imagination, perform Shakespeare's classic play. Sounds far-fetched? The Washington Post called it "ingenious...a production whose approach is all about turning limits into opportunity. " DC Metro Theater Arts called it "hilariously entertaining...something I'd not imagined was possible to do." A weekend-long encore of the Capital Fringe hit, A Two Woman Hamlet is presented as a full production at a Pay What You Will price.

All readings, except for the reading on February 16th, will be at theGunston Arts Center
Theater Two
2700 South Lang St

Arlington, VA 22206 (see map)
Metro: Crystal City and catch the 23A or 23B bus from bus bay two (the thoughtful folks at Avant Bard even made a video you can watch on how to get there using metro and bus which is especially great for visual folks) and get off at South Arlington Ridge Rd and South Lang St, nine stops, about a six minute bus ride. You can use metro trip-planner for metro and bus schedules. It's about 1.5 miles from the metro if you want to bike or walk, or you can also uber or lyft there, uber pool and lyft line are shared ride options that are more affordable. If you have a car and plan to drive you can see driving directions here. Ample free parking available.

Meditation Talk and Meditation at 11:00am is recommended for new folks. Feel free to arrive when you can to meditate with the group in a silent format so if you are an experienced meditator you are welcome to arrive anytime starting from 10:00am for a silent meditation sit. Vegetarian lunch is provided after the meditation talk. at noon, for those who participate in the morning program.

Save the dates! Sunday Meditations in February
Sunday February 10, 17 & 24

The Science of Spirituality Meditation DC Center opened in the Fall of 2013 and offers many free workshops and events. The center focuses on using the practice of Jyoti Meditation. Science of Spirituality has been offering free meditation workshops actively in the DC area since 1953. As part of an international, nonprofit, multi-faith organization consisting of two thousand centers and a million members world-wide, Science of Spirituality welcomes the community to participate in its meetings and activities. The group’s president is spiritual leader and author, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, world renowned for his books on meditation and spirituality, and for leading conferences and workshops promoting love, unity, and peace, in all lands and among all peoples, through the practice of meditation.

Science of Spirituality - DC Center
2950 Arizona Ave NW
at the intersection of Cathedral and Arizona Ave.
Metro: Not that close to a metro but accessible by bus. See metro trip-planner for best bus acces looks like the M4 and D6 buses get you pretty close but they don't run that often. For those with cars, street parking is available. For those of you with smart phones who don't own cars you may want to consider taking uber or lyft there from wherever you are or from the Tenleytown Metro, which is closest.

Come out and revitalize your mind, body and soul in honor of International Women's Day at this free daytime retreat at the Science of Spirituality's Center located in a residential neighborhood in DC, near Arizona & Cathedral Ave, NW.

Enjoy a series of workshops designed for Women, aimed to inspire, revitalize you and spark your motivation to start your own personal transformation journey. You will learn a simple yet powerful meditation technique known as Jyoti Meditation.

This daytime retreat will feature a series of workshops on meditation and spiritual issues from a women’s perspective and a complimentary vegetarian lunch. Come for discussion, sisterhood, and meditation. Afterwards, enjoy meeting people over a complimentary vegetarian lunch. Come for meditation, soulful interactions and some 'me time'. Please feel free to share with other women you know and spread some love!

SOS DC also offers free meditation workshops at area libraries and ongoing Sunday morning meditations as well as free four week introduction to Jyoti Meditation on Monday nights at their DC Center.

Science of Spirituality - DC Center
2950 Arizona Ave NW
at the intersection of Cathedral and Arizona Ave.
Metro: Not that close to a metro but accessible by bus. See metro trip-planner for best bus access, looks like the M4 and D6 buses get you pretty close. For those with cars, street parking is available. Uber pool, Lyft line and via shared ride options are also available in DC and are usually relatively affordable.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Free & Low Cost Community Yoga & Meditation Classes in DC!
Below is a list of some of the more popular centers and studios that offer free, donation-based, and reduced price yoga and meditation lasses as part of their weekly schedules.

If you know of any other studios or places where you can find yoga classes that are free, by donation or $10 or less, feel free to email me over gmail at freeindcblog, comment on Free in DC's facebook page or send me a tweet @FreeinDCBlog.

Yoga Classes

Organized alphabetically by Studio/ Venue Name.
Please message me to let me know if there are any changes to note in this list.

Saturday lunchtimeCircle Yoga- Friendship Heights/ Chevy ChaseDonation-Based Community Class onSaturdays 12:30pm - 1:30pm (except during session breaks). Suggested $5 minimum donation. "These “all levels” classes are typically yoga classes, though we sometimes offer Pilates, Feldenkrais, or other types of community classes. Check the community class schedule for details." View the full schedule of free community classes. Located near Friendship Heights metro and Chevy Chase Circle, about 13 min walk from metro (map),Select Days, Times and Locations in DCDC Public Libraries often host Free Yoga Classes, you can search their calendar here

Friday late afternoonDown Dog Yoga- Georgetown
One hour Community Class "Flow for $5" on Fridays at 4:30pm I am pretty sure this is a heated yoga studio so you may want to call them to check before you sign up for this class. Description online simply says: "These fun classes are taught by our teachers-in-training. Following our all-levels format, these classes offer an opportunity for you to support the development of our teachers in training, and at the same time offer a reduced rate as an opportunity to give back to the broader yoga community." View schedule here.

Select classes $10

Studio Serenity and Studio DC- locations inAdams Morgan and Dupont Circle
$10 community yoga classesFrom their website: "Our studio has a strong commitment to making yoga accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of income. We are offering $10 community yoga classes every day of the week. Check out our class schedule to see which classes are only $10. These reduced $10 classes can only be purchased at the studio. ***Passes not available online, only in person.*** $10 Yoga Policies: *If you have a membership or intro special, you do NOT need to pay in addition for this class *Purchases that expire are not valid for extension, roll-over, or refund. *Not eligible for non-profit/student rate *Not eligible as credit to be applied to a regularly priced class, intro pass, class package, or OM Pass *Only valid for classes listed online as $10 class" They also offer "Namaste Day - free classes all day: "One day out of the month, the studio offers the community an opportunity to enjoy the invigorating, challenging, joyful, sweaty, and celebratory yoga classes we have to offer....for FREE.***Members and pass holders can guarantee their spot by signing up in advance. Classes will fill up on a first come, first serve basis, so show up early."

Wednesday & Friday nights in Dupont Circle $10 Community Classes Tranquil Space - Update from April 24, 2018: The Dupont Circle location has $10 community classes Wednesday night at 8:00pm and Friday night at 7:00pm. Arlington location does not have any at the moment, though they tell me they are working on it!

Throughout the Week at various locations in DCYoga District offers lots of donation based Meditation & Yoga Classes (most on Sundays)

Meditation ClassesMonday night Circle Yoga- Friendship Heights/ Chevy ChaseMindfulness Meditation Mondays every Monday from 7:00pm - 8:30pm with The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community. "On Mondays, join us for sitting and walking meditation and a facilitated discussion. Introduction for newcomers is on the first Monday of each month starting at 6:15 pm. Wednesday 6:30-7:30 am and Friday sessions 12:00-1:00pm include sitting and walking meditation, but there is no facilitated discussion." Located near Friendship Heights metro and Chevy Chase Circle, about 13 min walk from metro (map),

Select Days, Times and Locations in DCDC Public Libraries host free Meditation workshops on occasion, you can search their calendar here

Want to learn more about how to Meditate? Join the Meditation Museum every Saturday. Free Intro to #Meditation Workshops from 11:00am - 12:00pm in Maryland 9525 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD, walking distance from the Forest Glen Metro, and in Virginia from 9:30am-10:30am and 2pm-3pm at 1984 Chain Bridge Rd. McLean, VA, walking distance from the Greensboro Metro. RSVP for either location on their website, just click on the calendar for the list of classes.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Explore DC "Off The Mall" Here are some ideas! Lots of Free, discount and low-cost venues!

Note: Last updated December 2015 - will update soon, just reposting now with the Smithsonian museums closed with the Government Shutdown

Did you know? Free in DC has it's own CultureCapital Inside-Outpage on CultureCapital listing free events and exhibitions on view!

If you've never been to or heard of the Pepco Gallery in Chinatown, Joan Hisaoko Healing Arts Gallery on U St, Honfleur Gallery in Anacostia and the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, you might want to check them out as well.

Museums and other places "Off The Mall"

The National Building Museum
Free if you just want to hang out in the space, $8 - $5 if you want to see any of the exhibits on view. The building itself is a beautiful space, huge ceilings, cafe, and one of DC's best gift shops.

Admission to this museum varies, lots of the exhibits are free in general

those with kids might enjoy the Meerkats 3-D film currently screening, $7
1145 17th St NW - two buildings, other one has an entrance on M St

Metro: Dupont Circle, south or Farragut North, L St exit, easiest access is by bus, take any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St or the 42 bus to M St

The Wilderness Society - Ansel Adams Gallery
On view Monday - Friday during the day, Free
Photographer Ansel Adams was a Wilderness Society council member and supported the organization for more than four decades. Throughout his career, he photographed dozens of iconic portraits of wildlands, such as Alaska’s Denali and California’s Yosemite. Before his death in 1984, Adams gave 75 signed, original images to The Wilderness Society. Since that time the collection has grown to a total of 88 landscape photographs and one portrait of Adams by photographer Arnold Newman. Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm, Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm. Closed, weekends and federal holidays.

1615 M St NW, in the Sumner School building

Metro: Dupont Circle, south or Farragut North, L St exit, easiest access is by bus, take any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St or the 42 bus to M St

The Phillips Collection
Did you know that they Phillips is by donation during the week? Permanent collection only. Click link above for detailed post on Free in DC.
1600 21st St NW
Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St north exit

National Museum of Women in the Arts
General Admission $10, Members/Students/65+ $8, Free for those 18 and under
1250 New York Ave NW
Metro: Metro Center or take any of the S buses along 16th St that run to 13th & NY Ave.

The Mansion on O Street
DC's most unusual and quirky museum if you ask me! Great for all ages.
The basic "Self-Guided/Gift Shopping/Book Tour"
$8 donation/person
Create your own adventure when you explore the museum and its collection of more than 20,000 books and other donated items on your own. Search through 100 rooms and 32 secret doors for new titles, rare volumes, or your all time favorites! Get 2 free books of similar value for every 10 you purchase. Most titles are priced $5 or less. 10% discount off other items (antiques excluded).

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Updated December 29, 2015. Here is a list of coffee shops and other spots with free wireless internet in DC, and parts of VA and MD.I am sure there are more I haven't listed yet... Please add any additional locations in DC or next to a metro in MD or VA along with the address, area, and link if you have it in the comment section and I will add it to the list! If you know of any changes, please let me know of those as well. You can comment tweet me @FreeinDCBlog or message me on Free in DC's facebook page or send an email to freeindcblog@gmail.com if you have any updates to this list (new places or places listed here that may be closed, etc...) Thanks!

Pleasant Popsdelicious veggie sandwiches, soups, salads, a great section of local foods and really good espresso drinks from Ceremony Coffee
1781 Florida Ave NW
near the intersection of 18th & Florida Ave, by Mint Gym
at the bottom of Adams Morgan, north of Dupont

Sugar Daddy's
2006 18th St NWbakery near Florida Ave
at the bottom of Adams Morgan, north of Dupont

Dolcezza - New location with late night hours!
at the corner of
14th & P St NW
Monday - Thursday: 7am-11pm Friday 7am-12am
Saturday 8am-12am Sunday 8am - 11pm
They also have a location in Dupont Circle
Metro: best reached by the Circulator bus, Woodley-McPherson route that also goes up 14th St and by the Columbia Heights Metro, right to 14th & RI Ave or P St, you can also take any bus along 14th St.

SHAWKafe Bohem
Viennese-style coffeehouse, open until 5pm daily, attached to Bistro Bohem
600 Florida Ave NWCompass CoffeeOne of the newest places in DC, beans roast in house!Interesting story behind this place too, learn more here.

Daily form 7:00am - 8:00pm

1535 7th St NW - near Q St

Note: They have two additional locations now! One in Chinatown and another in Shaw

New: Apparently, most all of the McDonalds in the area now have offer free wireless internet! To see which ones in the area have wi-fi and to learn more, please click here. You'll want to type in your zipcode and look for the ones with a green box on the far right.

Buzz really great coffee shop with cupcakes and other baked goodsI was thrilled to discover this one in Arlington! Try their 9:30 cupcake, it is so good!

818 N. Quincy - entrance is on Wilson Blvd, near sweetgreen

Ballston (walk to Wilson, turn left and go a few blocks)Note: They also have a second location in Alexandria, VA but I haven't been there so not sure if it's accessible by metro or if they have wireless there

Friday, May 22, 2015

Enjoy Art on view and Free Workshops and Events at The Meditation Museum in Silver Spring
Monday - Saturday

11:00am - 6:00pm
and during events in the eve

Free, donations welcome

If you haven't been to the Meditation Museum before, this unique space recently moved to a new location in MD, a short walk from the Forest Glen Metro. In addition to the museum space, which features art ranging from pictures, posters, paintings and sculptures, designed to remind us of our true, highest selves and our responsibility to humanity, there are also lots of workshops and events offered at the Meditation Museum that are all free of charge!

To see a list of upcoming free workshops and events at the museum, please visit their website at MeditationMuseum.org. You can also stay connected to the museum and their upcoming events through Meetup, facebook and twitter.

The Meditation Museum
9525 Georgia Avenue, Suite 101 - Silver Spring, MD
Metro: Forest Glen, an easy 8 minute walk north along Georgia Ave
Note: They just moved! Further north in MD but a short walk from the metro, just a few blocks.

Join the Golden Triangle BID every Tuesday and Thursday evening this spring for free Pilates and Yogalates class in Farragut Square Park. Instruction will be provided by certified Pilates and Yogalates instructors. Bring your own mat and enjoy these fun and relaxing after work exercise sessions with the Golden Triangle BID.

Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com!
This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com! This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events presented by nearly 300 Metro DC Arts Presenters. For quick way to find even more free arts and culture events try our "Free in DC" Inside Out feature, curated by the staff of CultureCapital.com.

Early Eve - Book event at the NMWA - Metro CenterBanned Book Club: Mrs. Dalloway
5:30pm
Light refreshments will be served. BYOB (Bring Your Own Book)
Join us for an evening of discussion about Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway. Published in 1925 and considered one of the top 50 English-language novels of all time, Mrs. Dalloway weaves two narratives together as each touches on mental health issues, homosexuality and the meaning of life. Celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week at NMWA. In conjunction with the museum’s Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center Library and Research Center exhibition Vanessa Bell’s Hogarth Press Designs.

Read more about what to expect and see festival map! See pics from past events! Check out the flickr album from years past to get a sense of the space and what to expect. Pictures really do say a lot about this festival.

FIGMENT DC is a free, two-day event that will transform the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground! Adults and kids are invited to come out and play! Create, and learn with and from your neighbors and help to transform this beautiful urban park into a magical, family-friendly, artists' wonderland! Come out with your games, colorful outfits and smiles, because you help to create FIGMENT.

“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2015. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”Inspired by Burning Man and keeping with the Burner principles, nothing is for sale and there is no corporate sponsorship. Again this year, over 40 local DC and DMV area artists will present collaborative art projects and events at FIGMENT DC, ranging across diverse media including music, sculpture, visual art and mixed media, earth works, dance and movement, and story-telling. This year Camp Contact might have some Acro Yoga and Contact Improv going on Sunday, possibly on Saturday as well.

FIGMENT is a festival designed to bring imagination to life. There will be all kinds of art forms and activities, and you are encouraged to bring your own as well! FIGMENT is the perfect time to play make-believe (for both kids & adults!) so feel free to dress up in whatever creative costume or outfit you want! You can also bring along toys: Hula hoops, poi, croquet sets, knitting, water guns, games – anything that you want to play with or invite others to join you in!

Dogs are welcome if they are friendly, but must be kept on a leash. Please clean up after your pooch! Have Roller skates? Bring them if you like, there is a covered roller rink on site! Feel free to come on your bike and consider decorating it with streamers, lights, fake fur, or other art, Burning Man style!

FIGMENT DC is a participatory festival that is volunteer run, non-profit and non-commercial. FIGMENT started in New York City and now takes place in a bunch of others cities. Learn more about the history of FIGMENT here and read more about the FIGMENT principles, which are very similar to the Burning Man Principles, here. FIGMENT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization entirely funded by grants and individual donations. FIGMENT accepts no corporate sponsorship of any kind.

Note also that this is a “Leave No Trace” event, inspired by the Ten Burning Man Principles. While trash and recycling receptacles will be on-site, they ask you all that if you bring it in with you, please carry it out. This includes cigarette butts, which fit quite well in a small metal box in your pocket.

Another principle they are asking attendees to be aware of is Decommodification, which means that the festival is run without any commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. As this is a non-commercial event, there will not be any concessions of any kind on site. Please come prepared with your own water, snacks and refreshments! The event will have porta-potties/restrooms. Please refrain from bringing any grills, alcohol and drugs. Please do bring your curiosity, playfulness, an open mind and your creative spirit!

Anacostia Park is a beautiful urban park along the east side of the Potomac River in DC. Conveniently located near the Potomac Ave and Anacostia Metro stations, the North Field is accessible from bike paths and I-395. There is some parking on site. If you are driving there, please review the directions to get to the park, as we know that GPS systems can frequently be wrong.

If you want to attend and don't own a bike, there is Capital BikeShare station right at the Potomac Ave Metro station but there is not one at the park so you can either keep the bike with you and pay for time or drop it at the closest station, at Pennsylvania & Minnesota Ave SE, which is still about a 15 minute walk from the park. If you don't want to walk from the metro, it should be a short, and affordable taxi ride, especially if you share it with others.

Metro: Anacostia or Potomac Ave. It's 1.2 miles from the Potomac Ave Metro, and a lovely walk over the Pennsylvania Ave bridge, see walking map. If you're biking, google recommends a slightly different bike route from the metro - yes, you can take your bike on the metro at no extra cost. There’s a bike trail to follow, but please keep an eye out for traffic! After you cross the bridge, turn left onto the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail before you get to 295, then turn right onto the path along the river. Look for a large covered pavilion – it’s the roller rink, and it’s hard to miss!

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Want to Submit an Event?

Thanks for your interest in submitting an event to Free in DC. If you have an event, email freeindcblog@gmail.com.Events submitted must be free, by donation, or $10 or less—and Metro or bus accessible in DC, MD, or VA.

I started the site back in October 2007, over ten years ago, and have been running it on my own the entire time. All of the funds I make through donations go to support me and the work of this site. Over the years, I have worked every day to maintain the site and to build a strong following and I now ask that anyone requesting an individual post makes a donation help sustain the site so that I can keep sharing all of the amazing free and low-cost events with you all!

Basic posts are offered sliding scale by donation, as are featured posts. Promotional packages include mentions on @FreeinDCBlog on twitter and are custom designed based on the budget you have to work with.If you have an event to submit but don't have funds to work with you're welcome to still submit it to me for consideration in a highlights post, which goes up a day or so before the event usually.

All of the options and details can be found in the auto-reply you'll receive when you email freeindcblog@gmail.com. If you want to find out more about customized promotional packages through featured posting, also sliding scale, you can just email me directly with a personal note with a link to the event details online and we can chat further over email. Thanks! ~ Amy